John Thornton (athlete)


John St. Ledger Thornton was a British hurdler. He competed in the men's 110 metres hurdles at the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was killed in action during World War II.

Personal life

Thornton served as a major in the Seaforth Highlanders during the Second World War. He served at El Alamein and in the Sicily Campaign, and was killed in action on 18 August 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. Thornton is buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery.